Greatest marathoner ever, Eliud Kipchoge, to race in 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon

There isn’t a better name to mark Sydney’s first year as an Abbott World Marathon Major than the greatest of all time, Eliud Kipchoge.

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There isn’t a better name to mark Sydney’s first year as an Abbott World Marathon Major than the greatest of all time, Eliud Kipchoge.

Having won 11 majors and clinched two Olympic gold medals, the Kenyan is the only human in history to run a marathon in under two hours, clocking an unofficial time of 1:59:40. He also holds the second fastest official time of 2:01:09.

It’s exactly why the Sydney Marathon worked around the clock to secure Kipchoge for this year’s race, which could see as many as 300,000 supporters line the streets to see the 40-year-old in the flesh.

The Kenyan said he was “excited for the opportunity” with the hope to “inspire and unite people” to pick up the sport.

“I will be putting my footprints in Australia,” Kipchoge said.

Crowds gather at the finish line at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“This is a great idea for me to launch the marathon … it will be a special marathon in my heart.”

While Kipchoge is adamant about spreading the sport across the globe, Australia included, he hasn’t lost sight of adding another title to his long list of achievements.

Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa triumphed in the women's field last year. Picture: Sydney Marathon

“It (would) mean a lot, it would be another title I would be putting on my neck,” he said.

Kipchoge added that he was “looking forward” to experiencing the “wonderful” Sydney course and “to go across all those scenic areas”, including the Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Opera House.

Runners crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the race. Picture: Sydney Marathon

Race Director Wayne Larden said Kipchoge had been in talks to race in Sydney for many years and said the impact of him featuring would reap benefits well into the future.

And, with Sydneysiders getting the marathon bug, of the whopping 79,800 who applied to fun in this year’s race, only 35,000 were able to secure entry onto the start line. It will not only feature runners domestically, but from all over the world with America and the United Kingdom, topping the entrants.